Flagfin Angel has lump w/ fungus

[CarlCatalyst]

Hi guys! Hope you can help. I have a new Flagfin Angel in my 135 gallon, and after being harassed by my Powder Brown Tang for 2 days (it's getting a lot better but he still likes to bother him every once and a while), I see a lump (hard to tell in the pics) w/ white stuff over it. I am assuming that he got injured by swimming away from the Tang.

What do you think and if it is fungal, what is the best treatment in the tank?

Thanks!

Carl

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Is the angel eating well? It looks a bit thin in the back. I always worry when I can see the rib cage on these guys.

External fungal infections (Saprolegnea) are very rare in marine fish. Did this show up overnight, or gradually over days? Did the fish go through any sort of quarantine process?

Jay

 

[CarlCatalyst]

Is the angel eating well? It looks a bit thin in the back. I always worry when I can see the rib cage on these guys.

External fungal infections (Saprolegnea) are very rare in marine fish. Did this show up overnight, or gradually over days? Did the fish go through any sort of quarantine process?

Jay

Thank you for your quick response! Yes, he's eating well, swimming actively and seems to be quick friends hanging out w/ my Blue Chin Trigger, strange and cute! I've had the Angel for 2 days, where the first day he was relentlessly harassed by my Powder Brown Tang, who thankfully has calmed down and only bothers the angel every once in a while now ... much better.

But it really looks like he got injured on the side and noticed when he turns, I can see some type of "cut" or slice of scales that come out slightly and w/ the white "fuzz" on top of it as you can see in the pics. I just spoke w/ the store owner and he is thinking to just leave it alone and see how it heals in a day or two.

 

[CarlCatalyst]

Would you do anything else other than wait a couple of days?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Would you do anything else other than wait a couple of days?

The raised scales that you mentioned brings up another possibility - I didn't go there at first because the lesion is white and not pick or red, but Uronema is a possibility. Trouble is, there is no real treatment for that, so fingers crossed that this is just a minor injury and will go away on its own. Feed the fish up as best you can. If you want to read more about Uronema, here is an article I wrote on it:

Uronema / Red Band Disease - Hemdal

Red Band Syndrome in Marine Fishes: Caused by the Protozoan; Uronema sp. Jay Hemdal Introduction: This moderately common disease of certain species of marine fish is so often misdiagnosed that most aquarists apply incorrect treatment methods...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[CarlCatalyst]

The raised scales that you mentioned brings up another possibility - I didn't go there at first because the lesion is white and not pick or red, but Uronema is a possibility. Trouble is, there is no real treatment for that, so fingers crossed that this is just a minor injury and will go away on its own. Feed the fish up as best you can. If you want to read more about Uronema, here is an article I wrote on it:

Uronema / Red Band Disease - Hemdal

Red Band Syndrome in Marine Fishes: Caused by the Protozoan; Uronema sp. Jay Hemdal Introduction: This moderately common disease of certain species of marine fish is so often misdiagnosed that most aquarists apply incorrect treatment methods...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

Thanks Jay ... I will read up on it and keep a close eye on it .... fingers crossed ... he's such a lovely addition to the mixed tank ... and again, surprised at how he loves hanging w/ the blue chin Trigger!

 

[CarlCatalyst]

Next day update ... it's looking worse as the pic shows. There's more red. He seems to have fantastic energy and appetite. Any thoughts on if this is Uronema? It doesn't look like it from the images.

What should my next step be??